Fischer Walks Away: Karpov Wins Chess Title by Default
Bobby Fischer refused to defend his world chess championship in 1975 because FIDE would not agree to his demand that the first player to win ten games would be champion, with no limit on total games played and draws not counting. FIDE accepted most of his 64 conditions but drew the line at this one, fearing an indefinite match. Fischer had won the title in 1972 by defeating Boris Spassky in Reykjavik in what was widely seen as a Cold War proxy battle. His walkaway stunned the chess world. Anatoly Karpov was declared champion by default on April 3, 1975, and held the title for ten years. Fischer vanished from competitive chess for twenty years before resurfacing in 1992.
April 3, 1975
51 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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